Local town resident Marie Doyle, is to become both the sole female and Sinn Féin municipal councillor in New Ross, when she is co-opted on to the County Council in January. She is replacing outgoing councillor Oisín O’Connell – who has resigned for personal and family reasons. Cllr O’Connell was the proposer for Marie at a recent Sinn Féin convention within the revised boundaries. She was unanimously approved by the members.

Mr O’Connell – who officially resigned on the 21st of December – described Marie as “very compassionate, capable person, and very committed to New Ross. I’m delighted to have been able to propose her, and I know she will bring fresh energy and perspective to the district and council, on behalf of her constituents.”

Speaking recently, Marie explained her background and motivation for becoming a County Councillor:

“Raised in New Ross, I went to primary school in St. Josephs. I then completed second level in St. Mary’s secondary school, New Ross.”

“My third level education started in Kennedy College, New Ross – where i studied Early childhood care and education. I furthered my education and completed a four year degree in Waterford Institute of Technology, and recently graduated with a first-class honours degree in Applied Social Studies in Social Care (Level 8).”

“For the past two years I have been working as a social care worker with adolescents in residential care units.

Studying social issues in college really opened up my eyes to all the inequalities people face in Ireland, and also what little the current government are doing about it.”

“This motivated me to join a political party that is working to improve the current situation in Ireland. I joined Sinn Féin in 2015. During my time with Sinn Féin I attended commemorations, public meetings on various topics – and then became Chairperson for New Ross Sinn Féin. Three years later, I am honored to become a Sinn Féin councillor because I believe passionately in our party’s values of human dignity, equality and justice.”

“I am also very proud to be a woman – and feel that women are underrepresented in Wexford county council, with only 4 out of 34 councillors being women.”

“Some issues of concern for me are:

with the completion of the bypass I feel we need to work hard promoting business and employment in the New Ross area; the GP crisis in the New Ross district – some people having to wait up to 3 weeks for a GP appointment is not acceptable; I feel strongly that we need to be campaigning for 24/7 mental health service’s for New Ross to replace the current 9-to-5, 5-day service available. I also think more facilities are needed for young people in New Ross”

“I am looking forward to working with my fellow Sinn Féin councillors on issues effecting people in New Ross, and county Wexford.”